Aquarium pumps are used all over the world for aquarium systems. This pump is also known as a fish tank pump. Nowadays, there are multiple types of aquarium pumps; due to that, it is hard to choose the best aquarium pump. This article explains the best aquarium water pumps for your aquarium system.
9 Best Aquarium Water Pumps
You must install an aquarium pump with your aquarium system that fulfills the requirements of your system. The best aquarium water pumps are given below:
1) Tetra Whisper
It is one of the most famous aquarium water pumps. The Tetra Whisper Air Pump keeps the oxygen levels in your aquarium high and keeps healthy to your fish. These pumps deliver reliable and powerful airflow. It can hold up to 10 gallons of aquarium water. These water pumps offer reliable service at an affordable price.
Whisper air pumps are efficient and easy to use to meet the aquarium’s ventilation needs. Proper pumping of aquarium water can allow the aquarium to function properly and create a healthy atmosphere for the fish.
Features of Tetra Whisper: –
- The Tetra Whisper air pump is ideal for aquariums and also friendly with large water tanks with lots of stones at the bottom.
- These pumps are available in seven various sizes, and you can choose according to your needs.
- This pump is accessible for different size water tanks and can also hold 300 gallons of water.
- It maintains high O2 levels in the water and generates enough vibration to keep the fish healthy.
- Tetra Whisper pumps are the most efficient and powerful air pumps on the market.
- It has an unlimited service guarantee.
- Its unique design reduces vibration and noise during operation.
Advantages and Disadvantages
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| It is very economical and efficient. | It does not have any tubing; therefore, the tubes must be purchased separately. |
| It is available in various sizes. | |
| It produces breathtakingly beautiful bubbles and also enhances air circulation. | |
| Tetra Whisper Air Pumps have quiet working. | |
| It has an unlimited service guarantee. | |
| It maintains high O2 levels in the water. |
2) Mylivell Quietest Aquarium Air Pump
It is the smallest and quietest aquarium air pump on the market and is designed to continue the air circulation as best as possible.
These pumps have stable performance and are ideal for adding oxygen to small and medium-sized aquariums. Mylivell Air Pump is also very appropriate for the oxygenation of various luxury aquariums, pipe decoration, and aquaculture.
It may add up to 13 gallons of oxygen to the aquarium and has a long lifecycle. It releases bubbles with high-quality air stones at a considerable rate, making them look like fish, solids, and shrimp.
Features of Mylivell Air Pump: –
- This pump is the easiest system to install and use
- It has the lowest energy consumption compared to other pumps.
- It uses very little power.
- Minimal noise compared to other products.
- It uses the latest technology to produce air bubbles without a motor.
- Mylivell Air Pump has lightweight, small in size, and portable.
- It delivers airflow at a rate of 24 liters/hour.
- These pumps can use in storage tanks with a capacity of up to 40 gallons.
- Product Dimensions: 71 x 4.61 x 2.01 inches
Advantages and Disadvantages
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| It has a stable performance | Suction cups may be difficult to install. |
| It is the quietest pump. | |
| Lightweight and portable | |
| It has a very compact design. | |
| Long service life and high durability | |
| It provides effective airflow. |
3) Fluval Q2 Air Pump
These pumps are highly efficient, powerful, and have minimal noise. The Fluval Q2 air pump can regulate up to 160 gallons of water. It ensures continuous airflow through the aquarium and ensures that the fish remain harmless and healthy.
Features of Fluval Q2 Air Pump: –
- This pump is famous due to its small and compact size and easy portability.
- Appropriate for aquariums up to 160 gals.
- It has a very easy design.
- Very powerful and can circulate the air efficiently.
- It generates low noise than other pumps.
- It generates a consistent flow of air.
- Dimensions: 2 x 7.8 x 6.4 inches
Advantages and Disadvantages
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| It has a compact and simple design. | It may be too small for a large water tank and looks awkward. |
| It has a small size. | There is only one size available in the market, so you don’t have multiple options for selecting a pump according to your own choice. |
| The Fluval Q2 air aquarium pump is a portable pump. | |
| These pumps produce a very powerful and highly efficient air circulation for aquariums. | |
| Uniquely designed to improve performance. | |
| Easy to install. | |
| It has low price than many other air pumps. | |
| These pumps produce very low noise and are environmentally friendly. |
4) Marine Metal A-2 Air Pump
These pumps are ideal for salt and fresh water aquariums.
Features:
- Marine Metal A-2 air pumps are appropriate for salt and fresh water aquariums.
- These produce 99.5% dissolved oxygen saturation.
- This pump allows the air to be extracted efficiently from the water, which ensures the survival of the fish over a long time.
- This air pump has high durability and has a rubber base. The rubber base decreases surface vibrations and noise.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantage: –
- These produce 99.5% dissolved oxygen saturation
- No battery needed
- It has an easy installation
- Powerful output
Disadvantage: –
- It has a warranty only for one year
- This aquarium air pump produces more noise than other products.
5) Eheim Air Pump Series
Features: –
- It has very low noise as it has a vibration-dampening rubber end.
- Eheim Air Pump Series has a very strong motor that consumes only 4 watts of power and can withstand high back pressure.
- This air pump permits the air stones to be placed very deep in the tank.
- It is ideal for larger aquariums.
- It can hold up to a 120-gallon aquarium.
- Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.8 x 3.3 inches
Advantages and Disadvantages
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Very quiet working | Expensive (but worth the money). |
| Its motor consumes low power (4 watts) | |
| It has an adjustable diffuser and airflow. | |
| Available in three various sizes. | |
| It is a very reliable and powerful pump. | |
| It has a 3-years warranty. |
6) Danner Aqua Supreme AP-8 Air Pump
Features: –
- This air pump permits you to inflate one or more gas tanks at the same time.
- It is equipped with a powerful energy-saving motor that reduces your electricity cost. You can also adjust the flow of air to achieve the results you want.
- It has compatibility with most standard airline tubing.
- This aquarium air pump keeps water flowing and air moving
- It has simple working and easy to operate
- Quiet working, and it does not affect the surroundings.
Advantages and Disadvantages
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Support fresh and saltwater aquariums. | It has high noise than some other products. |
| It produces an adjustable air flow. | A bit bulky |
| It is equipped with a highly efficient and energy-saving motor. |
7) Aqueon Quietflow Submersible Utility Pump 1200
This is one of the best aquarium pumps. This aquarium pump has large in size. It requires a large space for installation.
It has the ability to pump water from 84 to 159 GPH with an adjustable flow rate. It requires low maintenance than other types of pumps. It has high versatility and quiet operation.
Features: –
- Dimension (LxWxH): 38″ x 2.88″ x 4.88″
- Maintenance: It requires low maintenance
- Capacity: It has the ability to pump water from 84 to 159 GPH with an adjustable flow rate.
- Installation: It has easy installation.
Advantages and Disadvantages
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Requires low maintenance | Large size |
| High versatility | It may generate extreme noise when it damages. |
| Energy efficient | |
| Quiet operation |
8) Super SunSun Aquarium Power Head
This pump has silent operation and high efficiency. It has the ability to transfer a pump of 5.28 gallons per minute. It is ideal for both saltwater and freshwater.
Features: –
- Dimension (LxWxH): 5″ x 4.6″ x 4″
- Color: Black
- Capacity: It has the ability to pump 5.28 gallons per minute.
- Best suitable for both saltwater and freshwater
- Weight:3 pounds
Advantages and Disadvantages
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Ideal for both saltwater and freshwater | Maximum customer reports that these pumps have poor durability |
| It has an adjustable flow rate | The hoses of this pump are complex to install |
| Energy efficient | |
| Quiet operation |
9) Aquatop NP-302 Water Pump
These types of aquarium pumps are ideal for small, smaller aquariums. It has 118 GPH capacity. The size of the Aquatop NP-302 water pump is 1.5″ x 2″ x 2″.
This is an energy-efficient pump (6 watts). The flow rate of this pump is adjustable.
Features: –
- Dimension (LxWxH): 5″ x 2″ x 2″
- Color: Black
- Capacity: It has the ability to pump 5.28 gallons per minute.
- Best suitable for both saltwater and freshwater
- Weight:3 pounds
- Flow rate: 118 GPH
- Maximum Head: 27″
Advantages and Disadvantages
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| It has an adjustable flow rate | It may have complex installation. |
| Low weight | |
| Compact design | |
| Quiet operation | |
| Energy efficient |
How to Choose an Aquarium Water Pump
When you are buying an aquarium pump, you must consider the following factors:
- Your Filter
- Gallons per hour
- Watts
1) Check the Water Pump for Your Filter
First of all, you must decide on a pump filter according to your aquarium system. Different pumps use different types of filters designed for different aquariums.
While choosing the filter, you must choose a filter according to the features of your aquarium. You can find the features of the pump filter in the manufacturer’s manual.
2) Water Pump GPH
GPH is the most important factor that you must consider while selecting a pump. The gallons per hour is the capacity of the pump that it can pump in one hour.
You can check the manufacturer’s manual or the manufacturer’s website to find the GPH capacity of the pump.
You must choose a pump according to the capacity of your aquarium system.
3) Power Consumption
For the selection of the pump, you must check the electricity consumption rate of the pump.
You must choose a pump that consumes minimum electricity.
FAQ Section
What is an Aquarium Pump?
An aquarium pump is usually used to circulate and oxygenate the water in an aquarium. The main function of the aquarium pump is to produce a continuous flow of water. This continuous water assists in aerating the water and keeps your system clean by sending solid contaminants toward the filters.
It works by introducing fresh water into the aquarium and then discharges it through a diffuser or nozzle and produces a current that ensures the water flow in the tank.
Do all aquariums need an air pump?
An air pump uses to bubble air in the tank. An air pump performs two functions:
- First, the air pump ensures sufficient oxygen concentration in your tank. Your system doesn’t need an air pump if it maintains sufficient water movement together with surface anxiety.
- Second, the air pump is also necessary to force water into the filters (e.g., corner or sponge filters).